Lawn grasses are capable of growing in much less hospitable conditions than many other plants, mainly because lawn grasses grow the majority of their roots in the top 6 to 12 inches of soil. The size of the garden is about 50 SQMTs. Once the drain line is installed, coarse stone or gravel should then be put on top of the drain line leaving approximately 3–4 inches for topsoil for the lawn to grow in. Existing grass should be able to grow through as much as an inch of top-dressing. You'll need 400mm of topsoil for the best results, which means you'll need 40 cubic metres of topsoil. University of Missouri Extension: Improving Lawn and Landscape Soils http://ceventura.ucanr.edu/Gardening/Coastal/Landscape_578/Sandy_Soil/, University of Maryland Extension: Growing Green Lawns, University of Hawaii: Installing a New Lawn, How to Make an Environmentally Friendly Driveway. I am trying to plant grass over a large area 30x100. You will need a *minimum* of 4" of topsoil over that gravel to get grass to take and establish. Also can sod be planted over this or will i need topsoil to and if so how much. Measure with a tape measure the length and width of the gravel area on which you want to place the topsoil. If this is not an issue, cover the area in a membrane sheet. Exact rates can depend on moisture content, type of organic materials, geographic and economic location. Till over a few time once the gravel is removed. I usually lightly rake the entire area to provide loose dirt to bed the seeds. Otherwise, to be right, this driveway needs dug up and either rototilled in with great amounts of manure, or the soil outright replaced. Make sure to grade away from any structures and keep the level 6" below the buildings siding (a requirement in my state) add the topsoil and pack with a roller then fill low spots for a nice even lawn. How much grass and topsoil should be removed? The size of the garden is about 50 SQMTs. Likewise, what can I put over gravel? You could grow turf over just about anything if you had to, provided there is enough soil for it to root in (4-6 inches is a standard soil minimum for turf). Bell has handed out beauty and fashion advice since she could talk -- and for the last six years, write for online publications like Daily Glow and SheBudgets. If you're adding topsoil to fix dead patches, you'll only need to add a 1/8- to 1/4-inch layer of topsoil over dead or dying areas. Spread 2 inches of the mixture over the ground and work it 6 inches deep into the soil with a rake. It *can* work, but there are things to consider. Seeds, sod and plugs all require at least 4 to 6 inches of good soil cover. Decide the desired depth of the garden area--a depth of 4 to 6 inches for a lawn and eight to 10 inches for a vegetable garden is ideal. How to Convert a Gravel Yard to a Grass Yard. Like the smothering method of killing grass, a quality membrane will cut short any light and air to the soil beneath and nothing will grow. Prepare the soil for planting by tilling deeply, removing all weeds and rocks from the area. Tilling is a good way to prepare your ground. 1 square yard of our popular multipurpose topsoil, measured to the standard 35cm depth favoured by many gardeners for everyday root veg crops like potatoes and carrots, would require 450kg of topsoil. Without a good layer of topsoil, plants will not grow well, if at all. Gravel yards can't replace the natural beauty of turf grass. Sow seed grass over a lawn area by feeding it into a rolling broadcast spreader. Whether you start a lawn from seeds or use a vegetative planting method such as sod or plugs, the soil conditions largely determine how well the grass grows. Search for: Recent Posts. Our 1 tonne bags provide twice this, and are safe to store if ventilated and able to naturally dry. Rack it out so the grass seed is covered about 1/4 of an inch. If you need to know how to grow grass from seed, or how to sod, we recommend a visit to our full modules on seeding and sodding for more tips. Placing Topsoil on Gravel Grass roots, however, still need topsoil to grow effectively. A 2-inch layer of soil is about right. Grass like plant specimens have roots and they need to grow directly into the soil. Never amend sandy soil with clay, as grass will struggle to grow in such a hard soil consistency. Because each tonne bag of fruit and veg topsoil covers 1 cubic metre you'll need 40 bags. Discussion in 'Lawns' started by dortmunder, Jul 12, 2016. dortmunder Apprentice Gardener. Topsoil is nutrient-rich material that sits at the top of the earth’s layers. The fact is, each tuft of grass in turf is a plant, and plants grow better in good soil, and just because it's grass, it doesn't mean it won't mind being grown over lumps of debris, with or without topsoil placed over. How much topsoil should be laid over hardcore before sowing grass seed? Over time, the topsoil will compact and the grass roots may not be able to grow any more. Experimenting on a small scale at first is recommended to be sure that any additions are worthwhile and won't have damaging effects on workability of the soil. 12 years ago . Grass typically requires a high level of moisture to remain lush and vigorous, and neither sand nor gravel retain water well. Before you lay down grass sod or spread grass seed, establish a healthy layer of soil in which the sod or seeds can grow. It is also easy to work with and spread, even when wet and will provide a stable, level base for laying turf or sowing lawn seed. Spread 2 inches of the mixture over the ground and work it 6 inches deep into the soil with a rake. 0 … Before you lay down grass sod or spread grass seed, establish a healthy layer of soil in which the sod or seeds can grow. Just as the name suggests, a membrane is a layer which will stand between the gravel and the ground to prevent any weeds from growing. It is able 12 inches thick of compacted dirt laced gravel. Seeds, sod and plugs all require at least 4 to 6 inches of good topsoil. Determine how much topsoil is necessary for the project. I am scraping off the loose gravel and want to know what the minimuim amount of top soil that i need. I would recommend you remove the gravel, prepare your soil. This picture shows the new sod, old lawn, and the soil over top … The soil should be clear and raked level. Buy topsoil in bulk Topsoil is the necessary top 2 to 10 inches of soil in any lawn or garden. Once grass has become established, water it every 3 days. Topsoil is the necessary top 2 to 10 inches of soil in any lawn or garden. Laying sod is an easier way than spreading grass seeds to get a thick, lush lawn over gravel. It’s one of the best techniques to use and many have tried and succeeded in achieving a beautiful and healthy lawn this way. Aerate. Better yet, mix in some compost before applying the soil, so that the resulting mix will be lighter and fluffier, thereby reducing the likelihood of suffocating the roots. Topsoil and gravel delivered to you by Bray Trucking, a specialized aggregate hauler servicing the Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana region. Both can be great materials to use on your property, but each has their individual purposes. If it the climate tends to be dry, then such a soil would necessitate a lot more watering than a heavier soil. Fertilize lightly once each month during the growing season, at a yearly total of 5 pounds per 1000 square feet. 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